School Open House Next Weekend!
Next Sunday from 12-2pm, our parish school will be hosting its Open House, and I want to take a moment to invite you to help us spread the word.
One of the simplest and most effective ways you can support our school is by sharing our Open House information with others. If you see a post on the school’s social media, consider sharing it. If you have family members, friends, coworkers, or neighbors who have young children, invite them to come and see the school for themselves. Many of our current families do not live directly in the neighborhood but work nearby and drop their children off on their way to work. The Open House is a great opportunity for people to discover that possibility and to learn more about what SFX offers.
We are blessed to have an impressive school. That does not happen by accident. It is the result of dedicated leadership, committed teachers and staff, involved families, and a shared vision. I am especially grateful for the leadership of Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. Shaughnessy, whose guidance and care for our students continue to strengthen both the academic and spiritual life of the school.
I know that choosing a Catholic school is a real sacrifice for many families. It requires careful planning and prioritizing what matters most. At the same time, Catholic education can be more affordable than many people assume, especially when compared with other private options. More importantly, it is a worthy sacrifice when parents are seeking not only strong academics, but an environment that supports the moral and spiritual formation of their children.
Our PreK 3 and PreK 4 programs are a wonderful example of this. Compared to traditional daycare, these programs are significantly more affordable, while also providing a structured, faith filled learning environment. We are blessed with an outstanding PreK team: Mrs. Plante and Mrs. Maldonado, Ms. Cordeiro and Ms. Ramos, and Mrs. Pelletier and Ms. St. Jean. Again and again, we hear from young parents who are deeply moved when their preschooler comes home asking if they can pray together. For some families, this has even opened the door to returning to the faith or having their children baptized.
Recently, as part of our reaccreditation process, parents were asked why they chose SFX School. While families consistently noted the strong academics and student life, the most common reason given was the moral and spiritual formation their children receive. That formation happens in concrete ways. Students study the virtues in class. They are encouraged to live with charity, forgiveness, and generosity toward one another. They are taught to make sacrifices for the good of their classmates and to see their daily lives through the lens of the Gospel. Each week, we gather for school Mass, where the students pray together and hear an age appropriate homily focused on living the faith as young people
I feel genuinely privileged to serve as the pastor of this school. It is a joy to walk with students as their minds are formed, but even more so to watch their hearts and souls take shape in a community rooted in faith.
Finally, I want to thank you for your continued support of our parish school. Your support truly makes a difference, and I am deeply grateful.
Check out our first ever electronic billboard on 195 in New Bedford!
This school billboard will be up for the next few weeks and will rotate through several school banners, along with a few from other organizations. Thank you to Mrs. Rogers and members of our School Advisory Board for the work that went into making this happen. Please pray that it bears much fruit!
Testimony from our Parents:
Women of Grace
Paint Night - Feb 10th
Women of Grace invites the women of our parish to an art night at The Knights of Columbus in Mattapoisett on Tuesday, February 10th. The art class starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. No talent needed to participate. Our art teacher Megann Bodeau will guide you step by step. Cost for supplies is $37. Come and enjoy fellowship and fun while creating the above masterpiece to take home. Please rsvp by texting Amy Plante at 508-951-8866 or amyplante122@gmail.com. Space is limited, so rsvp soon.
SFX School Play This Weekend
The SFX school play takes place this weekend, and it promises to be a great production. We are incredibly blessed that our parish musicians, Jono and Allison, stepped in to direct the play when there was a need. They have poured countless hours into rehearsals, music, and mentoring our students, and it shows. On behalf of both the parish and the school, we are very grateful to them for their generosity, creativity, and hard work. Please keep them and our students in your prayers, and come support the cast if you are able.
Candlelit Mass for Feast of the Presentation
Monday Feb 2
7:00PM
On February 2, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also traditionally known as Candlemas. This feast commemorates Mary and Joseph presenting the child Jesus in the Temple, where Christ is proclaimed as a light for all nations. Historically, Candlemas marks the close of the wider Christmas season and turns our hearts toward the light of Christ revealed to the world.
This year, the feast falls on a Monday. Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am and again at 7:00pm. The evening Mass will be candlelit and include music.
Beeswax candles will be blessed and distributed at both Masses. Parishioners are also welcome to bring candles from home to be blessed for personal prayer throughout the year.
All are invited to celebrate this feast of light.
Parish Safety Update
At the end of Masses this weekend, I will be sharing a brief update from our parish safety committee, along with one concrete step we will begin taking at weekend Masses. This work has been underway for some time, and it is part of our ongoing effort to be thoughtful, prepared, and attentive to the safety of our parish community. I will share more details in person this weekend.
Monday Holiday Reminder
Just a reminder that Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and we will follow our usual Monday holiday schedule. The parish office will be closed. There will be the 9:00am Mass, and Eucharistic adoration will take place as usual. The 5:30pm confessions will be canceled, with confessions available instead immediately following the 9:00am Mass. The Millions of Monicas will meet as usual.
A Homily for this Sunday from Fr. Mike Schmitz (Starts at 8 minutes)
Novena for Life Begins Today Jan 16-24
Save the Date: 2026 SFX Lenten Mission
Please mark your calendar for February 22–25, 2026, and plan to join us for our Parish Lenten Mission with Father James Sullivan, OP, of the Dominican Fathers of the Province of St. Joseph.
Catholic Movie in Fall River - Sunday Jan 25
Above is an advertisement for a movie that will be shown in Fall River next weekend. This is the same film we hosted when it premiered in the fall at the AMC in Dartmouth, and many parishioners who attended found it very powerful and well done. I would encourage you to consider attending this upcoming screening. Please note that the film deals with heavy themes and is not suitable for young children.
For tickets or more information, please email: office@holynamefr.com
For tickets or more information, please email: office@holynamefr.com
Exciting News from the Anchor
The Anchor, the long-standing newspaper of Diocese of Fall River, is transitioning next month from a paid monthly print edition to a free weekly electronic newsletter. Click the link below to sign up. Stay informed and stay connected with all the news and events in Diocese plus the latest developments in the Catholic Church across the country and around the world. Look for the first Anchor newsletter in mid-February along with a new and enhanced Anchor website.
Adult Confirmation
The diocese is currently forming the next adult Confirmation class, with a registration deadline of February 20th. Adult Confirmation will take place in May at the Cathedral. Anyone who is interested, or who would like more information about the registration process, is invited to contact me directly
Vocations Office Event This Monday
Mass Times
Sunday: 8:00 AM | 10:30 AM
Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
M, T, Th, F, S: 9:00 AM
Sunday: 8:00 AM | 10:30 AM
Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
M, T, Th, F, S: 9:00 AM
First Friday: 9:00 AM | 6:00 PM
Adoration Times
Monday-Friday
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-8:30pm
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-8:30pm
Wednesday
6:30am-8:30pm
Saturday
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-2:45pm
6:30am-8:30pm
Saturday
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-2:45pm
Confession Times
Monday: 5:30–6:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30–10:00 AM | 3:00–3:45 PM
Monday: 5:30–6:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30–10:00 AM | 3:00–3:45 PM
First Friday: 6:45–7:15 PM
Anytime by Appointment
To add someone to this weekly newsletter, they can either text the word ACUSHNET to 84576 or sign up at sfxparish.flocknote.com.